Hey there! My name is Wes, and I’m an instructor on the Data team at Juno College. If you’ve been considering a career in data analytics, but find yourself wondering what a data analyst actually does all day, you’ve come to the right place! I’ll break down a typical day in the life of a data analyst: what they do, what tools they use, and how to get started on this exciting career pathway.
But first, a bit about me... over the years, I’ve held various positions in the data industry, such as data analyst, data scientist, and lead data scientist. Most of my experience in the field is in two quite dissimilar industries: video games and luxury fashion. However, even across different industries, the function of a data analyst is similar!
So, what does a data analyst do?
The main job of a data analyst is to draw actionable insights from data, and share them with stakeholders to drive important business decisions that will help them achieve their goals. The data process can be broken down into four simple steps:
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First, a data analyst needs a question — usually, this is motivated by business needs. For example, what characteristics do customers who subscribe to a service have, versus those that do not subscribe?
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Next, a data analyst is responsible for finding the data to answer the question at hand. This data might exist in a few different locations, or be packed neatly into a single database.
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The data analyst will then use tools and techniques, such as SQL, Tableau, or Python, to find patterns or draw insights from the data.
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Finally, these insights should be communicated to stakeholders, so that actions can be taken to improve the business!
Where can a data analyst work?
The short answer: anywhere. Why? Because data is everywhere!
While data analytics job titles may differ slightly (data analyst, business analyst, analytics consultant, etc.), the need for data analysts is ubiquitous! As tech continues to advance, so does the amount of data we’re able to collect. As a result, there’s a wealth of data, and a shortage of those who have the data analytics skills to draw insights from it.
In fact, job opportunities in the data field are projected to increase 28% from 2021 to 2026. This means that data analysts are in high demand, as more and more industries rely on data analytics as a part of their business.
A good question to ask yourself is if you can think of an industry that does not produce data. As long as an industry is producing data, there will be a need for data analysts. As an aspiring data analyst, this is great news! It means you’ll have the amazing opportunity to blend your interests with your career.
In the data world, these interests or passions are referred to as “domain knowledge” (knowledge of a specific field, as opposed to general data analysis knowledge), which is a great boon in a job search.
A typical day in the life of a data analyst
As a data analyst, it’s common to have a couple of different data analytics projects on the go. Here are common tasks you’ll be doing in this role for each project:
- Meetings with stakeholders, data engineers, or other team members to learn more about the question you’ll be exploring
- Locating, exploring, and analyzing a database
- Working on a dashboard and coding with Python to showcase patterns you’ve found in the data
- Preparing a Tableau dashboard to visually present a story about your findings
- Presenting your findings and recommendations to stakeholders
Tools that data analysts use
Here are the three most important tools that you’ll be using as a data analyst:
- Structured Query Language (SQL): Used most often by analysts to pull and combine data from databases, as well as perform some preliminary analyses.
- Python: A general-purpose programming language, used to perform complex analyses and predictive modeling.
- Tableau: Used to prepare interactive dashboards for use by stakeholders or to present the results of an analysis.
Why choose a career in data analytics?
Being a data analyst is an extremely rewarding career! It’s rare to have sway in business decisions early on in your career — but as a data analyst, you’ll have unique insights into business processes based on an informed perspective. As a result, you have the opportunity to create meaningful change in any company you join. Here are some cool real-world examples of how companies benefit from using data analytics.
Besides being able to see how your work impacts a business, I was personally drawn to this career path as it involves a great balance between solving interesting problems and communicating with others. As a data analyst, we’re regularly given problems to solve. These can range from fairly straightforward matters, to complex problems spanning multiple departments.
There will always be an interesting question that needs answering, and as a data analyst, it is our job to answer that question in the best way we can. This means interesting work day-to-day.
And the story doesn’t end there! Being a data analyst is rewarding because we generally see our work through from the conception (how we decide to answer a question) through to the very end (presenting our results and following up with stakeholders).
How to become a data analyst
There are plenty of different pathways to becoming a data analyst. A great starting point is an interest in problem-solving and communication. Curiosity and an analytical mind don’t hurt either! I landed in the data field after a somewhat convoluted educational path, because of my various interests — I studied theology, psychology, mathematics, and finally, data science.
But the good news is that most paths into the data industry are far more straightforward! This brings me to my last point...
Data Analytics Degree vs. Bootcamp Programs: Which is Better?
Some data analysts hold undergraduate degrees in areas like math, stats, and computer science — but it’s worth noting that most degrees have only a tangential focus on data analysis. These skills aren’t the focus of most degree programs, and so shorter, specialized Bootcamp programs dedicated to learning data analytics skills are becoming more popular.
A Bootcamp program is usually tailored specifically to developing employable skills for a certain field. They’re a great option for those looking to change careers quickly, as you can save a significant amount of time (and money!) compared to a degree.
Plus, many Bootcamps typically include job search support throughout and after graduation, and involve several projects that can be used in a portfolio to show off your new skills. Having done many data interviews myself, I can attest that candidates with portfolios are usually more attractive than those without!
All that said, everyone has unique learning styles and goals. It's important to take the time to research and explore which program is the best fit for you.
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